Oxford Public Library was granted fourth quarter dollars for their hosting of a Smithsonian Institue exhibit, “Water/Ways,” which is currently on display now through February 11.
More than $100,000 in 2023 fourth quarter grant funds were awarded to area nonprofit agencies and schools by Four County Community Foundation (4CCF).
Among the recipients were four applicants who took part in the Foundation’s inaugural Spark Grant initiative. Applicants were invited to give in-person presentations about their programs to 4CCF’s Proactive Committee members as part of a special ‘Pitch Night’ event in September. Fund dollars were awarded to Camp Oakland for their support of adjudicated youth; Orion Area Youth Assistance for their SPLAT summer camp program; Dutton Farm Inc. to build an inclusive community garden space for individuals with developmental disabilities and the Hispanic Service Center that allows them to partner with Union Food Group to offer food safety training in Spanish.
“The ‘Pitch Night’ was a very cool way to get in front of the committee and be able to discuss our program and the impact the grant award would make. It can be difficult to get a point across on paper, so to be able to do the pitch in person was very helpful,” said Jessica Nichols, Development Director for Camp Oakland.
The Foundation also undertook a funding initiative to bring an online college and career readiness program—Pathful—to five school districts within 4CCF’s service area. High school students and teachers in Almont, Capac, Dryden, Imlay City and Memphis can now access a live virtual connection platform that matches them with a network of industry professionals from across the country in addition to offering other tools that let them explore diverse career pathways.
Some of 4CCF’s other grant recipients in the fourth quarter of 2023 include:
- Armada Baseball Association for a field lighting upgrade project
- Dryden Wesleyan Church for gym lighting upgrades for their Upward Youth Sports Program
- Greater Washing Area Historical Society for their museum roof project
- Huron-Clinton Metroparks Foundation for their Stony Creek and Wolcott Mill Experiential Leaning program
- Macomb Foster Closet for their Forever Home Campaign
- Oxford Public Library for hosting a Smithsonian Institute traveling exhibit “Water/Ways”
- New Day Foundation for Families for their Emotional Support Program that helps cancer patients and their families
- Office of Senior Services of Macomb County for their Safe at Home program for the purchase of safety equipment to be used in elder adults’ homes
Grant dollars were also directed towards local schools including:
- Eisenhower and L’Anse Creuse Middle School East for their participation in Science Olympiad
- Dryden Elementary School for a field trip to Longway Planetarium
- Borland Elementary School in Imlay City for the purchase of spelling whiteboards and multilingual library books
- Almont High School for Dance Team equipment and competition fees and for band and choir students to see the musical “Wicked” at the Detroit Opera Theatre
- Armada High School for science classes to take part in a field trip to the Sloan Museum of Discovery and their “Real Bodies: The Exhibition”
- Capac Jr./Sr. High School for Travel Club expenses
Our Donor Advised and Field of Interest funds chose to support a variety of causes and projects in the fourth quarter including:
- Weston Elementary School student field trip to Seven Ponds Nature Center, made possible by a grant from the Woods-N-Water News Outdoor Foundation
- Macomb Infant Preschool Program for the purchase of assistive devices and other equipment for children with disabilities, made possible by Jamie’s Smiles Memorial and Endowment funds
- Imlay City Middle School to support their Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Program with support from the Rhonda Nugent Memorial Fund.
Creating a Field of Interest or Donor Advised fund is a meaningful way to make a real and lasting impact in your community. To learn more about creating a fund with 4CCF, visit www.4ccf.org/donors/ or contact Executive Director Kathy Dickens at (810) 798-0909.
January 1, 2024 is the next deadline for applications. Applications and more information about the grant-seeking process can be found online at www.4ccf.org/grantees/.
The Four County Community Foundation provides grants to eligible, IRS tax-exempt organizations, schools, and governmental agencies operating in its service areas in Lapeer, St. Clair, Macomb and Oakland counties. Grants are made to support progressive ideas in education, health, and community, including youth and adult programs.
For more information about Four County Community Foundation, visit www.4ccf.org, call (810) 798-0909 or email Executive Director Kathy Dickens at kdickens@4ccf.org.